Town launches seniors hockey program at Leisureplex

The Town of Fort Erie has launched its first-ever seniors pick-up hockey program, but so far only a handful have shown up.

Every Thursday afternoon at 1 p.m., the Kinsmen Rink at the Leisureplex on Garrison Road sits ready for up to 24 players aged 55 and older for a no-contact, $5-per-session hockey program designed for older adults who want ice time on their own terms.

The program arrives as municipalities across Ontario face growing pressure to build recreation options for aging populations. Fort Erie’s seniors hockey is the town’s direct answer to that gap, and whether it survives beyond March may depend on how quickly word travels through the community.

The department responsible for municipal recreation and facilities told Fort Erie Radio in an email response that older adults had approached the department before the launch, and the program took shape around what they heard.

“We had previously received feedback from older adults in the community that this type of program would be beneficial,” the email said.

The existing pay-as-you-play program, which runs weekday mornings at the Leisureplex’s Jaycee arena for players 18 and up, was not built with older adults in mind. Older players tend to skate at a slower pace and at a different skill level than the general morning crowd, according to the email.

The format is scrimmage-style pick-up hockey, purely internal, with no organized teams, no opponents from outside the group, no checking, no slapshots and no fighting.

The inaugural session on March 5 was free. Every session after thereafter cost $5 per player. The program ran Thursdays throughout March, and the town has confirmed it plans to extend it past the end of the month, though no specific schedule has been announced.

The town also indicated broader expansion of seniors recreation programming is planned, though no details were provided.

Attendance has not yet reached capacity. The program can facilitate up to 24 players per session, and the town acknowledges the numbers have been modest.

“We are hoping the program will pick up in attendance as it continues and word gets out to the community,” the town said.

Residents 55 and older can drop in any Thursday at 1 p.m. at 3 Municipal Centre Drive.

Full hockey equipment is required to participate.

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